Ghana’s Second Lady, Samira Bawumia has said Africa’s underdevelopment is largely attributable to lack of prudence in the management of the continent’s resources.

“We can only have a developed Africa if we manage our resources prudently and in the best interest of our people"; Mrs. Bawumia said on Thursday, May 24th, 2018, when she delivered a speech at the Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry at an event to mark the 55th Anniversary of African Union (AU) Day celebration in Rome.

She asserted that, African countries need to translate opportunities offered by globalization into inclusive growth, increased poverty reduction and sustainable development. However, we need to take account of the fact that, integration into global markets have some risks; as countries may become more susceptible to global trends, including corrupt practices by multinational corporations and other vested external interests.

The theme of the 55th Anniversary of the AU: “Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Development”, according to Mrs Bawumia “goes to the crux of our national priorities.

Citing the UN Economic Commission for Africa’s argument to buttress her call for total abhorrence for corruption at all levels, the Second Lady said corruption undermines accountability and transparency in the management of public affairs as well as socio-economic development on the continent.

On this note, she declared Ghana’s commitment to tackling the menace head-on, enumerating measures instituted by the Akufo-Addo government, including the setting up of the Special Prosecutor’s Office to lead the fight.

“Ghana is committed to tackling corruption, the Government has set up the National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACAP), which is expected to contextualize and mobilize effort and resources in a bid to help prevent and fight corruption through the promotion of high ethics and integrity; as well as strict enforcement of applicable laws.

“The setting-up of the Office of the Special Prosecutor also speaks to the Government’s commitment to root out corruption. The Office as a specialized agency is mandated to investigate specific cases of corruption involving public officers, politically-exposed persons as well as individuals in the private sector implicated in corrupt practices and prosecute these offences on the authority of the Attorney-General,” Mrs. Bawumia stated